New
New
Year 11
Eduqas
Exploring blood as symbol of guilt in 'Macbeth'
I can explore and analyse the motif of blood in 'Macbeth'.
New
New
Year 11
Eduqas
Exploring blood as symbol of guilt in 'Macbeth'
I can explore and analyse the motif of blood in 'Macbeth'.
These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.
Switch to our new teaching resources now - designed by teachers and leading subject experts, and tested in classrooms.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- Blood is a motif that is associated with guilt in 'Macbeth'.
- Initially, both Lady Macbeth and Macbeth's reference to blood reflects their guilt and intact conscience.
- As the play progresses, Macbeth is haunted by blood and guilt.
- Lady Macbeth doesn't see blood as staining and thus rejects her guilt early on in the play.
- At the end of the play, both Macbeth and his wife are consumed by blood and guilt, both appearing helpless.
Keywords
Motif - a recurring idea, image or symbol in a text or piece of art
Impervious - unable to be affected
Consumed - if you are consumed with something, it affects you very strongly
Common misconception
Blood only symbolises violence and bloodshed.
Blood comes to symbolise psychological turmoil and guilt as the play progresses.
You could also explore how other characters associate Macbeth with blood in 1.2 compared to 4.3.
Teacher tip
Equipment
You will need access to a copy of Shakespeare's 'Macbeth' for this lesson.
Content guidance
- Depiction or discussion of serious crime
- Depiction or discussion of sensitive content
- Depiction or discussion of mental health issues
Supervision
Adult supervision required
Licence
This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2024), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).
Lesson video
Loading...
Starter quiz
Download starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.
What does Macbeth see in Act 2, Scene 1 of the play 'Macbeth'?
Banquo's ghost
the Thane of Cawdor being executed
Q2.
In Act 2, Scene 2 of 'Macbeth', what does Lady Macbeth say to reassure Macbeth after the murder of Duncan?
"What's done cannot be undone"
"Blood will have blood"
"Out damned spot"
Q3.
What symbolic meaning does blood seem to take in 'Macbeth'?
love
loyalty
strength
Q4.
In Shakespeare's 'Macbeth', which character says "out damned spot" and what are they referring to?
Banquo, referring to the murder of Fleance
Macbeth, referring the blood on his hands after regicide
Q5.
Which sentence uses the word 'consumed' correctly?
They consumed the weather for over an hour.
The car consumed through the busy traffic.
Q6.
Which quote depicts Banquo’s ghost as being covered in blood in 'Macbeth'?
"Life's but a walking shadow"
"Approach thou like the rugged Russian bear"
Exit quiz
Download exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.
Which word beginning with 'm' refers to a recurring idea in a literary work?
Q2.
What does impervious mean?
being sensitive to the actions of others
being bold and abrupt
Q3.
Which sentence uses impervious correctly to describe Act 2, Scene 2 of 'Macbeth'?
Macbeth appears impervious to guilt throughout the play.
Macbeth is impervious to pain after committing regicide.
Q4.
In Act 2, Scene 2 of 'Macbeth', what does Macbeth acknowledge?
He can conquer anyone as he has got away with the biggest crime.
He has successfully rid himself of his conscience.
Q5.
What does the phrase "Out damned spot" suggest about Lady Macbeth’s feelings of guilt in Act 5, Scene 1 of 'Macbeth'?
She feels that she can rid herself of guilt easily.
She may feel guilt but doesn't let it get her down.
Q6.
What is true of Lady Macbeth and Macbeth's relationship with guilt by the end of 'Macbeth'?
both continue to ignore their guilt
both do not feel guilt